Chapter 7: Interviewing Principles and Skills
Chapter Context
This chapter describes the steps for preparing an interview, types of interview questions,
the various sequences interviewers can use, the interviewer’s and interviewee’s roles during
the opening, body, and closing portions of an interview, and how to be an ethical
interviewer and interviewee.
Outcome-based Outline
Outcome
Learning Objectives
Communication
7.1 Identify the three basic
skills required to prepare for
an interview
Knowledge of Discipline
7.2 Describe the different
interview structures, topics,
and questions
7.3 Explain the three parts of
the interview process
Ethical Reasoning
7.4 Identify the basic ethical
principles that both the
interviewer and the
interviewee need to adhere
to
Discussion Question Bank
This discussion question bank provides a listing of discussion questions (1-2 per module),
which are included for in-class use.
Module
Discussion Question(s)
7.1 Preparing the Interview
1. Discuss the different types of interviews. Explain
what skills are required when preparing for an
interview.
2. Think about a time when you had to conduct an
interview. Discuss the aspects you considered
while arranging the interview and what criteria
you applied while selecting the appropriate
person for the interview.
7.2 Structuring the Interview
1. Why are probing questions used in interviews?
Examine the various types of probing questions.
2. Assess the importance of asking hypothetical
questions to interviewees to gauge their job
suitability. How do such questions differ from
probing ones?
7.3 Conducting the Interview
1. Analyze the differences between an ordinary
conversation and an interview. How are they
similar?
2. Discuss the interviewer’s and interviewee’s roles
during the opening, body, and closing portions of
an interview. Explain the three parts of the
interview process.
7.4 Interviewing Ethics
1. Why are basic ethical principles important during
the interview process? How does the person
conducting the interview have more power than
the person being interviewed? Discuss.
2. Explain why you should avoid using biased
questions or leading questions during the
interview process. Why are such questions
considered as components of unethical
communication?
Research Assignments
The following research assignments pertain to the main topics and/or themes of the chapter.
Please respond by writing a paper consisting of 1,000-1,500 words.
Conducting Interviews
Write a report analyzing the various steps an interviewer should take before conducting an
Experiential Activity
The Job Interview
Goal
To prepare students for the job interview
Group size
Break the class down into groups of four
Time required
One day for each group
Materials
Stop watch to time interviews
Procedure
1. Have group members come to class with ten questions each and a company for which
to interview.
2. Groups meet and decide if they want to work on a group interview or break into
4. Evaluation sheets are distributed so students know what to look for when evaluating
the group that is presenting or brief review of interview process.
5. Groups present a script of questions and class submits written evaluations of group
Discussion
Did the interview have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion? Discuss each section.
What interview sequence was followed? Funnel? Inverted funnel? Tunnel?